Within the scope of the LIFE IP AZORES NATURA project, as an entity adhering to the Transnational Strategy Against Cortaderia selloana, the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action has been promoting awareness of the impacts of this invasive species through the distribution of pamphlets and information directed to the entire Region.

Cortaderia selloana, known as Pampa Grass, poses a significant threat to biodiversity by competing with native species and altering natural and semi-natural ecosystems. Its removal, both in public and private spaces, is essential to curb its spread.

Following this awareness effort, a few entities in the Region have begun interventions in their public spaces. In this context, the work of the Municipality of Ponta Delgada stands out, as it has played an exemplary role in removing this species.

At the end of May, an intervention was carried out in the Milícias area, where several large specimens were removed. Given the density and size of the infestation, removal was carried out using a backhoe when the plants lacked inflorescences to ensure extraction of the largest possible volume of the root system.

In the coming months, this work will continue through monitoring of the area, and any new germinations can be easily removed manually as part of regular maintenance actions.

This type of intervention demonstrates that it is possible to act effectively and reinforces the importance of the involvement of all entities in the fight against invasive species. With the financial support of the LIFE Programme of the European Union.